By Rebecca Caroline Pruitt
I have been a lover of musical theatre since I can remember! It has been a part of my life since I was a little kid. I can remember my first trip to NYC and seeing Brooke Shields as “Rizzo” in Grease. The lights, the energy, the dance and the music just filled my soul, and I knew that I had not only fallen in love with NYC but also Musical Theatre. Several years later I stepped into the limelight and was cast in my first leading role at 9 years old as “Annie” in Hampton County Little Theatre production of Annie! Throughout my childhood I honed my craft by taking dance classes, voice lessons and acting classes. Ballet class led me to be one of the littlest bon bons and a Chinese tea dancer in The Columbia City Ballet Company’s production of The Nutcracker. I had stars in my eyes as I was lifted by the male professional dancer and made the leap from straight dance to musical theatre. Throughout the years I have been in The King and I, Oliver, The Music Man, The Sound of Music and Grease. Being in front of the footlights and being in the spotlight was a fantastic experience and, what made it even more special, was taking direction and learning from my dad. He was often the director of many musicals in our community.

During my college years I continued to grow as an artist by joining the Lander Dancers and majoring in Theatre. Balancing class, sorority life, dance classes and rehearsals, along with performances really prepared me for the rush and hectic lifestyle I am now living. During my senior year I was given the opportunity to join the D7 family as a co-choreographer for the musical Hairspray! Saying yes was one of the best things I ever did on so many levels. Not only did I have to opportunity to create wonderful work, I met Susan Woodham, who is the dance specialist at Pine Street School and the Outreach Coordinator for Ballet Spartanburg. As soon as we started working together our creative ideas sparked and we were able to pull together an awesome show.

Two days after the final performance of Hairspray I was off to spend my summer in the Big Apple. While in NYC I continued to work on my craft as an artist by taking dance classes at Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center. I learned many valuable skills and worked on my musical theatre technique. When I returned to Sparkle City I reunited with Susan Woodham and we reminisced about Hairspray and started planning for the next Spring production. Our collaboration lead to further work with Ballet Spartanburg in the outreach program and working with special needs children.

Under the direction of my dad, Dr. Terry Pruitt, Susan and I have collaborated on 5 more musicals. Now working alongside my father, moving from a leading actress role to a leadership position on the creative team is extra special for me. With my father and me both working in Spartanburg District 7, the Spring is a very hectic. Spending time collaborating on costume details, set and lighting design and the artistic vision pulls me closer to my dad. Being able to share this with him, brings us full circle in my creative life.

This year “All Shook Up,” which is not about Elvis, brings together people of all walks of life through the music of “The King” himself. Mistaken identity, heartbreak and love all come to life in this madcap comedy set in the 50’s. A goodlooking roustabout in his blue suede shoes, arrives in small town USA to stir up the town folk. His good looks, swagger and music bring life to this drab town. With the music of Elvis Pressley and the book by Joe DiPietro, you will be dancing in the aisles. The talent that you will see on the stage is AMAZING. Be transported to Broadway through the skills of the students from Spartanburg High School. With songs like Love Me Tender, Heartbreak Hotel, Follow That Dream, Burning Love and Can’t Help Falling in Love you certainly will be falling in love with All Shook Up. Go like our Facebook Page: Spartanburg School District 7 presents All Shook Up! Tickets are on sell at the Chapman Cultural Center Box Office (864) 542-2787. Show times are at 7PM on May 26th, 27th and 28th and 3PM on May 29th. So how about a “little less conversation” and get your tickets ASAP!

About This Blog

By Rebecca Caroline Pruitt
I have been a lover of musical theatre since I can remember! It has been a part of my life since I was a little kid. I can remember my first trip to NYC and seeing Brooke Shields as “Rizzo” in Grease. The lights, the energy, the dance and the music just filled my soul, and I knew that I had not only fallen in love with NYC but also Musical Theatre. Several years later I stepped into the limelight and was cast in my first leading role at 9 years old as “Annie” in Hampton County Little Theatre production of Annie! Throughout my childhood I honed my craft by taking dance classes, voice lessons and acting classes. Ballet class led me to be one of the littlest bon bons and a Chinese tea dancer in The Columbia City Ballet Company’s production of The Nutcracker. I had stars in my eyes as I was lifted by the male professional dancer and made the leap from straight dance to musical theatre. Throughout the years I have been in The King and I, Oliver, The Music Man, The Sound of Music and Grease. Being in front of the footlights and being in the spotlight was a fantastic experience and, what made it even more special, was taking direction and learning from my dad. He was often the director of many musicals in our community.

During my college years I continued to grow as an artist by joining the Lander Dancers and majoring in Theatre. Balancing class, sorority life, dance classes and rehearsals, along with performances really prepared me for the rush and hectic lifestyle I am now living. During my senior year I was given the opportunity to join the D7 family as a co-choreographer for the musical Hairspray! Saying yes was one of the best things I ever did on so many levels. Not only did I have to opportunity to create wonderful work, I met Susan Woodham, who is the dance specialist at Pine Street School and the Outreach Coordinator for Ballet Spartanburg. As soon as we started working together our creative ideas sparked and we were able to pull together an awesome show.

Two days after the final performance of Hairspray I was off to spend my summer in the Big Apple. While in NYC I continued to work on my craft as an artist by taking dance classes at Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center. I learned many valuable skills and worked on my musical theatre technique. When I returned to Sparkle City I reunited with Susan Woodham and we reminisced about Hairspray and started planning for the next Spring production. Our collaboration lead to further work with Ballet Spartanburg in the outreach program and working with special needs children.

Under the direction of my dad, Dr. Terry Pruitt, Susan and I have collaborated on 5 more musicals. Now working alongside my father, moving from a leading actress role to a leadership position on the creative team is extra special for me. With my father and me both working in Spartanburg District 7, the Spring is a very hectic. Spending time collaborating on costume details, set and lighting design and the artistic vision pulls me closer to my dad. Being able to share this with him, brings us full circle in my creative life.

This year “All Shook Up,” which is not about Elvis, brings together people of all walks of life through the music of “The King” himself. Mistaken identity, heartbreak and love all come to life in this madcap comedy set in the 50’s. A goodlooking roustabout in his blue suede shoes, arrives in small town USA to stir up the town folk. His good looks, swagger and music bring life to this drab town. With the music of Elvis Pressley and the book by Joe DiPietro, you will be dancing in the aisles. The talent that you will see on the stage is AMAZING. Be transported to Broadway through the skills of the students from Spartanburg High School. With songs like Love Me Tender, Heartbreak Hotel, Follow That Dream, Burning Love and Can’t Help Falling in Love you certainly will be falling in love with All Shook Up. Go like our Facebook Page: Spartanburg School District 7 presents All Shook Up! Tickets are on sell at the Chapman Cultural Center Box Office (864) 542-2787. Show times are at 7PM on May 26th, 27th and 28th and 3PM on May 29th. So how about a “little less conversation” and get your tickets ASAP!